Switch for packing-houses



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. R. PBRRIN.

SWITCH FOR PACKING HOUSES.

No. 552,140. Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

(No Model.) 2-Sheets-.Sheet 2.

I 'W. R. PERRIN.

SWITCH FOR'PAGKING'HOUSES. 4 No. 552,140. Patented Dec. 31, 1895.

\VILLIAM R. PERRIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SWITCH FOR PACKING-HOUSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 552,140, dated December31, 1895.

' Application filed July 8, 1895. Serial No. 555,273. (No model To allwhom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM R. PERRIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Switches for Packing-Houses,&c., of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates toimprovements in switches for packing houses andsimilar places.

The object of the invention is to simplify and make more economical theconstruction of such switches while maintaining their efficiency.

The invention consists substantially in the construction illustrated inthe accompanying drawings, described in the subjoined specification, andmore particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the several figures of the drawings like letters refer to similarparts, in which-- Figure 1 illustrates the device in side elevation.Fig. 2 illustrates the switch in plan view in line with a right-handbranch rail. Fig. 3 illustrates a similar View with the switch in linewith a left-hand branch rail. Fig. 4 illustrates a longitudinal vertical.section taken on the line y y, Fig. 2. Fig. 5 illustrates a verticalcross-section taken on the line a a, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 illustrates avertical section taken through the line 0 c, Fig. 1. Fig. 7 illustratesa similar View taken on the line 6 e, Fig. 1.

In packing-houses and similar places it is customary to provide a mainway or rail acting as a support or guide for the movable hook whichcarries the meat, and, also a series of branch rails or guideways whichmay be put into connection with the main rail or way by means of amovable switch, and the present invention makes use of such wellknownapparatus as has just been specified, these various rails being shown inthe drawings and designated, the main rail by the letter B, and thebranch rails by the letters 0 C-that is, the branch rail to the right isdesignated by the letter O, and the one to the left by C. These severalrails are suitably supported by brackets, such as A.

A movable hook is secured to the movable hanger shown in dotted lines inFigs. 1 and 6 of the drawings, in the upper portion of which isjournaled a sheave, which rides upon the various rails to the rail ofthe switch. This hanger for the hook is designated by the let ter D.

The switch as a whole is designated by the letter S; but additionalletters will be used to refer to specific parts of said switch. Thebracket which supports the end of the main rail 13, adjacent to thepivot of the switch, is provided at its lower end with a longitudinalextension at each side thereof, and in each extension there is a holethrough which it is designed to pass the bolt which forms the pivot ofthe switch. This is best shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Thepurpose of having a hole for each side is to allow the switch to bereversed, or, in other words, to be pivoted at either side of thebracket, ac cording as the situation in the particular packing-housedemands. In the drawings this plate forming the extension is designatedby the letter E. Pivotal" bolts are shown arranged in each hole. Ofcourse, the end of the bracket is formed with a corresponding hole forthe passage of the bolt, and the bolt is secured in the hole by anordinary nut or other well-known fastening device.

The body of the switch is formed of one piece of metal and the twolateral ledges F F and upwardly-extending runs G G, which ledges andruns are well illustrated in Fig. f the drawings.

lhe supporting rail of the switch is designated by the letter II, and isdetachably secured by bolts or other suitable devices to one of the siderails G G of said switch. Secured to the switch is a lock or bolt,(designated in the drawings by the letter K,) and the pre ferredconstruction of which is best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, although, ofcourse, said construction may be widely varied by any one skilled in theart. As shown in the drawings, this look or bolt consists of a platesecured'to the under side of the main body of the switch, with adownwardly-projecting manipulatinghandle L, and securing and guidingbolts d, which bolts slide freely in a longitudinal slot formed in thesaid niain bodyof the switch. By grasping the handle L the sliding platewhich forms the lock or bolt may be moved out of or into engagement withthe keeper, which will be directly described.

The free end of the main body of the switch has a projecting edge, whichis designated in the drawings by the letter M, which, in conjunctionwith the keepers, supports the free end of the switch.

The preferred arrangement of branches and main rail in connection withthe switch is shown. in the drawings, and consists of two branches 0 Osuitably supported by brackets, upon the lower end of which brackets areformed the keepers N N. These keepers are arranged a proper distancefrom each other, and together with the intervening distance are a littlewider than the forward end of the switch, and have formed in them aledge for guiding and supporting the edge of such switch beforementioned, which ledge may be uncovered or, preferably, as shown in thedrawings, covered so as to constitute a groove.

The lock orbolt of the switch may, as shown in Fig. 2, be ofapproximately the same width as the space between the keepers, so thatwhen such bolt is slid between the keepers, it being on a lower levelthan the edge or groove thereof, abuts against the sides of such keepersand thereby maintains the switch firmly and accurately in workingposition, as is well shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Again, whenthe switch is swung to bring its rail in line with the branch rail 0,(which may be effected by sliding back the lock or bolt,) and said boltis pushed forward beyond the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings,it abuts against the outside of the keeper for the branch rail 0, andthereby maintains said branch rail in line with the rail of the switch.

In packing-houses and similar places vast numbers of switches must beused, and it therefore becomes highly important to make them of suchconstruction that they will be at once simple and economical, and it isbelieved that the present switch most excellently fulfills theserequirements, while at the same time answering all the functions of amost effective device.

Many variations and modifications may be made in the details of theconstruction illustrated and described without departing from the spiritof the invention, and I therefore do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the precise construction indicated.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, is-

1. The combination with a main rail and a supporting bracket havingextensions, of a switch having a switch rail, and devices for securingsuch switch rail to either side of the switch, and means for securingthe switch to either extension of the bracket; substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a main rail, a bracket for supporting the same,having an extension at each side, of a switch provided with ledges ateach side, and a switch rail adapted to be connected to the switch oneither side thereof, and suitable devices forsecuring the switch rail inplace and for securing the switch to an extension of the bracket;substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with a main guide rail and a bracket for supportingthe same, provided with two extensions on opposite sides thereof, of aswitch having ledges on two sides and two vertical runs, said two runsand ledges formed integrally therewith, a switch rail, and means forconnecting the same to the switch on either side thereof, and devicesfor securing the switch to an extension of the bracket; substantially asand for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a main rail and branch rails, of a pivotedintermediate switch and movable locking devices, adapted to engagebetween the branch rails or at the side of one of said branch rails;substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of a main rail, branch rails and an intermediatepivoted switch, and a sliding locking plate secured to such switch andadapted to fit between the branch rails, as and for the purpose setforth.

6. The combination of a main rail and branch rails, with keepers securedto the branch rails, provided with supporting ledges, and a pivotedswitch intermediate the main rail and the branch rail and having anextending edge, adapted to be guided by and supported upon the ledge ofthe keepers; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7. The combination with a main rail, and

'vice secured thereto, and arranged to fit between the keepers and tohold the switch in line with one branch rail, or abut against the outeredge of one of the keepers to hold the switch in line with the otherbranch rail; substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of July,1895.

WVILLIAM R. PERRIN. Attest:

FRANK T. BROWN, M. I. CAVANAG-H.

